The agency said the focus of the guidance was to avoid or minimise soil damage and/or water pollution that can occur if slurry is spread in unfavourable soil and/or weather conditions. It is also important that stores do not overspill and become a point-source of water pollution.

The guidance includes a number of actions that can be taken.

“However, in some instances spreading to land may be the only available option,” the agency said. “Before any spreading takes place, this needs to be discussed with the Environment Agency. If spreading to land needs to happen, and can be done without causing pollution, a flexible enforcement approach can be taken.”

EA staff at the National Customer Contact Centre – 03708 506 506 – are available to discuss individual situations and advise on what actions can be taken. Out of hours, or in an emergency, call the incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.

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About The Author

Editor of LBM titles Pig World and Farm Business and group editor of Agronomist and Arable Farmer. National Pig Association's webmaster. Previously political editor at Farmers Guardian for many years and also worked Farmers Weekly. Occasional farming media pundit. Brought up on a Leicestershire farm, now work from a shed in the garden in Oxfordshire. Big fan of Leicester City and Leicester Tigers. Occasional cricketer.